Not So Cliche Kidnapping (Uncompleted)

*Chapter 50 - Just A Matter Of When

Chapter 50 - Just A Matter Of When

This isn't happening.

He's not here.

He can't be here.

I took a few more steps back and I looked down at my shaking hands and tried to focus on steadying my breathing. I heard quick footsteps and Mason was soon taking my place at the door. He stared in shock at Ray and I felt like I was about to faint. 

I'm free. He's not here. It's all my imagination. I'm safe.

I'm safe in the comfort of my home with a boyfriend to protect me.

I felt paralyzed. I felt dizzy. I felt nauseous. I dropped to the ground and I felt tears prick my eyes. "She's not safe here anymore." I heard Ray say as he talked to Mason in the doorway and I could feel Ray's gaze on me. Mason looked back at me and quickly rushed by my side to help me off the floor. My shaking got worse and I flinched when he touched me. Mason let go of my arm and just sat next to me.

I'm safe.

I'm safe.

"I'm safe..." I could feel water taking up my vision. "I'm safe..." I whispered to myself again and again. Over and over. Mason gave Ray a concerned look. I took big breaths. Deep breaths. 

I heard mumbling in the background and before I could comprehend, Mason was leaving my side and I saw him pushing my mom in her room and closing the door behind them. 

"Melissa..." A deep voice hesitated in front of me and it felt like poison. Hearing my name come from his mouth made me want to change my identity completely. The tears in my eyes seemed to disappear and I focussed on the shoes that stood in front of me. 

These shoes belong to the man who took everything away from me. My family, my education, my hope and the little happiness I had left. I finally got back what was taken from me, plus a few bonuses, and now he's here to ruin my life once again. 

"Carl got ahold of your address. He's on his way right now. Pack what you can and then we need to leave immediately," Ray said as I continued to sit on the floor and stare at his shoes.

I wanted to protest. I wanted to scream at him for making my life so miserable but then I remembered Jordan that one night. I remembered what he said.

"I swear on my life..."

I took another deep breath and stood up. They're only trying to protect me. Making a scene now would be dumb since there's a pedophile on his way as we speak. I didn't even glance at Ray, as I walked back to my room to gather my things and I could feel the surprised stare from Ray. I emptied out my school backpack and began filling it with my phone, a charger, a laptop, a book, pencils and pens, money, etc. 

I'm never safe.

The words sunk into my mind as I slung my backpack over my shoulder and slowly walked back to Ray, never breaking eye-contact with the floor that now seemed like my best friend. 

I never was safe, was I? It was all just false hope. I will always be in danger, no matter who protects me.

Ray put his hand on my backpack and slightly nudged me forward, making me walk faster. But then I froze and broke contact with the floor. I looked up at Raymond and realized that just seeing his face triggered anxiety. 

He stared back at me, waiting for me to explain why I had delayed his rescue mission. "C-c-can... I.." My throat closed and I put my hand around my neck as if the touch would loosen up my nerves. "Can I... say goodbye," my voice cracked and I could feel the waterworks threatening to burst again. "Please."

Ray gave an annoyed sigh but he had a look of understanding and proceded to nod. I could see the hesitation in the action, worried that we might be too late. I ran as fast as I could to my mom's room and I threw the door open. 

I saw my mom crying, her face in her hands as Mason rubbed her back to attempt to comfort her. She looked up at me and more tears streamed down her face. "Why didn't you tell me you were going through this?"

Tears ran down my face once again and I rushed to hug her. "I'm sorry. I couldn't say anything," She wrapped her arms around me and clutched my hoodie. I squeezed as tight as I could and buried my face in her shoulder. "I have to go again, mom."

"Please, don't go. Let me be here for you to make up the lost time in the past," She sobbed into my sweatshirt. 

I pulled back from the hug. Everything was blurry because of the waterworks that was seemingly impossible to stop. I shook my head in disappointment. "It's too late. I have to go now or things could become worse, and there's no way that I'm giving you more of a burden."

She nodded hesitantly, almost fighting the urge to understand that she must stay behind. "Take care of Ruby for me, okay?" I asked. My mom nodded slowly and I gave her a worried smile. "I'll return, I promise." My mom nodded again and I decided that it was probably time to start heading out. 

I let out a heavy sigh and gave my mom one more squeeze and backed away. She had gone completely silent and just stared as I left the room. 

Why do things have to be this way?

Ray stared at me as I walked over and stood before him. He didn't smile- didn't even smirk. He had the same pained expression as everyone else in the house. It really made things difficult to stop crying when the most masculine guy you know was having trouble staying positive. "I guess we should get going..." I hesitated, looking away from Ray so I wouldn't have to look at his sad manner anymore.

"I guess so," Ray responded and I could feel Mason walk up from behind me. Time seemed to slow down in the house. We all seemed afraid that if we left, we would never be able to go back. Of course, I was coming back, that was for sure. It was just a matter of when. 

Finally, Ray stepped toward the door. I clenched the straps of my backpack and followed. Mason stayed close and followed my footsteps as well. Ray opened the front door for the two of us and I held my breath as I walked out the door. 

Can't go back now.

I spotted the small, yet spacious, black car with its tinted windows parked outside my house and I tried to rid the memories I had with that car out of my mind. Unsuccessful, but it was worth a shot. Once we were out of the house, time seemed to go back to normal. Everything now felt rushed.

Raymond quickly walked in front of us and to his car door, hopping in without hesitation. He probably had just realized how much time we had taken up inside the house. 

Mason also walked hurriedly in front of me and opened the door to the back seat. I hesitated again but forced my feet to lead me inside of the car and Mason followed in behind me. We were both sat in the back seat. We buckled in and Mason put his arm around my shoulder and I leaned into his body. 

Silence swept through the car but I'm glad it was that way. I couldn't muster up enough courage to talk again. My throat had closed long before and it planned on staying that way. Ray started the car and began driving. I watched outside from the window and my eyes followed the house until it was out of view. One last tear had slipped down my cheek.

I'm not safe.

Author's Note

Man, it sure has been a while, huh? I apologize to everyone who has literally been waiting month after month for an update and I appreciate every single one of you! <3

I don't think I've published a chapter since I was in 7th grade and now I'm near the end of 8th grade. :/ Hopefully, this is the start of a long writing phase and I'll be writing more. But I don't want to make a promise. Last time I said I was going to be writing more, well, it was an unsatisfying conclusion. So Just know that I won't quit this book until it's over. No matter what!

Well, thanks for reading! New chapter coming soon!